[Art-mfastudio] 10/8 Faculty Meeting Notes

[Nik Rye]

Dear MFAs,

Here are notes from the responses during today's (10/8) faculty meeting in order of the issues brought to them from my previous email.

1. LGBTQIA+ Allyship Training:
The faculty thought this was a great idea and it made sense that we should all be on the same page concerning inclusion. They are noting to add it to the requirements for staff orientation and looking further into how to meet expectations now. Some have taken the training, but many haven't. Lillian is taking the lead on this. Daniel supported the idea and added he was not asked to take training upon employment at FSU to validate the concern. Iris shared their personal experience of the workshop with the faculty.
2.  Visiting Artists:
In short, yes, we will have visiting artists. Carolyn will be sending detailed information soon, it is something already being worked through, and 3rd Years will have priority in the Fall semester.
3. Disability Sensitivity Training:
The faculty was happy to have this highlighted and will investigate more ways to promote inclusion as hearing this means they haven't done enough to address this issue of inclusion. A specific member of the faculty (being vague to keep anonymity for the student who requested) responded by apologizing for the situation and hopes that the student understands they were asking out of concern. Additional interpersonal concerns within the MFAs should be handled within the MFAs.
4.  Stolen property:
Lillian was a little upset to hear that someone thinks nothing is being done as she has gone to great lengths to find stolen property to the best of her ability and make the spaces safer. Rather than getting disturbingly authoritarian within the institution, Lillian suggested asking Carolyn for a locker/locked cabinet if you do not have one and to make sure you keep your stuff safe. If you do have something stolen you will need dates and you will need to report asap. Opportunities for socials and other bonding activities are completely up to the MFAs and BFAs for which we could complete at any time.
5. Dirty bathrooms:
Lillian understands but also asks for patience with the custodial staff as they are also short on people. There have also been suggestions to keep art supplies out of the bathrooms which makes the custodian's jobs more difficult. Holly has added that their income is very low and solidarity with them is advisable.
6.  ROOF:
The roof is in process of being replaced and should be finished by the end of November. They can't do it unless it doesn't rain for a whole month, otherwise, it would be sooner. The materials by the parking lot are for the roof replacement. Nick Parparian and crew are short-staffed so they are doing their best to get this fixed as soon as possible.


Love & Solidarity,
Nik Rye (she/they)

Instructor of Record | BFA GA | MFA Candidate | Fellow

Department of Fine Art

Florida State University

e: nrye at fsu.edu

w: nikrye.com<http://www.nikrye.com>





Florida State University is located on land that is the ancestral and traditional territory of the Apalachee Nation, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. I pay respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to their descendants, to the generations yet unborn, and to all Indigenous people. This land remains scarred by the histories and ongoing legacies of settler-colonial violence, dispossession, and removal. In spite of all of this, and with tremendous resilience, these Indigenous nations have remained deeply connected to this territory, to their families, to their communities, and to their cultural ways of life. I recognize the ongoing relationships of care that these Indigenous Nations maintain with this land and extend our gratitude as we live and work as humble and respectful guests upon their territory. I encourage you to learn about<https://native-land.ca/> and amplify the contemporary work<https://usdac.us/nativeland> of the Indigenous nations whose land you are on and to endeavor to support Indigenous sovereignty in all the ways that you can.





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